Helpline had big increases in 2021, including 200% spike in housing requests
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – This Friday is Feb. 11 – an important day for Trident United Way to raise awareness for the 211 Helpline.
A close look at 2021 year-end totals reveals the economic effects of the pandemic are still strong. Calls from Tri-County residents to the helpline remained steady: more than 13,000 calls per year or more than 1,000 calls a month on average. A likely contributor was the federal eviction moratorium ending this past August.
With skyrocketing home prices and rent rates, people in lower income jobs and the unemployed are especially feeling the brunt of negative economic impacts.
Trident United Way Tri-County 211 Helpline request increases in 2021 vs 2020:
- Landlord/tenant assistance + 206%
- Public housing requests + 204%
- Homeless Motel vouchers +148%
- Mortgage assistance + 37%
- Homeless Shelter + 11 %
Click below for downloadable video of the 211 text and soundbites from Amanda Lawrence, Trident United Way VP of Community Impact, speaking about the Tri-County housing crunch.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5yp9strvo428zk/211Day-2022VoSot.mp4?dl=0
Soundbite 1: “I do think with the pandemic, this is the biggest crisis we have seen to date, at least during my time and tenure at Trident United Way and during my lifetime.” :12
Soundbite 2: “Everyone is being impacted by the pandemic and the strains it’s putting on the economy, on our daily work lives, our mental health and everything we do it has impacted us.” :13
A report by Redfin shows, Charleston home prices shot up 24.5% compared to last year, selling for a median price of $465,000. Rents also went up a staggering 21% in 2021, according to Apartment List.
Click here for a detailed 211 Helpline report that breaks down Tri-County needs and has customizable data points.
Coming later this week, Trident United Way will unveil a new way to access resources on 211 without even having to make a call or going onto the SC211.org website.
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Trident United Way - Celebrating more than 77 years of service, Trident United Way is a catalyst for measurable community transformation in education, financial stability and health. According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, United Way is America’s favorite charity. Learn more at tuw.org.